Keep up to date with what Alison Hernandez is doing to make Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly safer. Here you can find news articles, blogs, videos, images and audio in our multimedia section along with our regular newsletters.

Here you can find all of the statutory information we publish as a public sector organisation as well as instructions on how to submit a Freedom of Information request and disclosure log of previous requests.

We're committed to involving as many people as possible in our work. Here you can find more information about volunteering, our approach to community engagement as well as how you can report your concerns and take part in consultations.

There are hundreds of people, of all ages, offering their services to Devon and Cornwall's policing family as volunteers. Special Constables, cadets, independent custody volunteers, all play their part in keeping communities safe and protecting victims.
Alison Hernandez wants to extend the role of volunteers and create more opportunities to help.
Find out what he is doing here.

In April 2015 the police and crime commissioner took responsibility for the provision of victims services.
The OPCC has joined with Devon and Cornwall Police to create a Victim Care Unit which has day to day responsibility for victim's welfare.
The PCC has also overseen creation of a victim services directory, a focal point offering help and support to victims of crime.

Pioneering project aims to reduce reoffending at Exeter Prison

The days of inmates being released from Exeter Prison with inadequate clothing, no housing and with limited support look set to be a thing of the past thanks to a pioneering new scheme.

Picture Lewis Clarke / Geograph

The pilot ‘checkout lounge’ project brings together offenders and experts in a range of areas like housing, drug and alcohol support and employment a fortnight before they are released. Sessions take place weekly in an informal setting.

On release a ‘departure lounge’ allows former offenders to charge a mobile phone and ensure they have adequate clothing and a support network in place. Basic food and toiletry parcels have been put together with the help of donations.

The scheme, which is being tested with the support of the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner, aims to prevent a revolving door of reoffending and reduce homelessness by giving people the best possible chance of a fresh start in life.

So far the feedback has been extremely positive with many prisoners identifying that not only did they get support in the areas that they needed but that the pilot had actively increased their confidence that they would be able to stay out of prison in the future.

On Thursday, October 18, officers from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government visited the prison to see the work in action.

HMP Exeter has been made the subject of emergency action after an inspection in May. HM Inspectorate of Prisons found that levels of violence were unacceptable at the prison, which is overcrowded, with cells in a poor state and with widespread use of illicit drugs.

Inspectors did recognise, however, that there had been improvements to resettlement programmes.

Police commissioner Alison Hernandez said she was pleased to support the programme. Her office has funded a project co-ordinator employed through the EDP drugs and alcohol service for the pilot.

“With the cost of incarcerating a single prisoner at Exeter running at almost £34,000 a year, as a community we all have a vested interest in keeping re-offending down,” she said.

“There is plenty of evidence to show that we can reduce crime significantly by supporting offenders to get back on their feet so they can make a contribution to society. As most custodial sentences are given to those with previous convictions there is a huge opportunity to reduce demands on our emergency services and prisons if we can tackle this issue.

“It was clear to me that prisoner release is an area where we have been setting people up to fail. With a relatively small amount of public funding I think we’ll be able to make a real difference.”

The PCC’s office has been working with prison officials, probation, EDP and local authorities and housing partners to get the scheme up and running. The Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise sector have also provided crucial support.

Running alongside and in support of this pilot are two other schemes, also supported by the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner, to address the housing needs of prisoner leavers.

Julian House have been funded to provide supported accommodation for up to nine months across the peninsula for prison leavers with the most complex needs leaving Exeter Prison, and women from Devon and Cornwall leaving HMP Eastwood Park. The charity also provides support workers to address the needs of the individual to enable them to leave a crime-free life.

Path has been funded to assist people in Plymouth who are at risk of being sent to prison on remand, or returning to prison in breach of their licence, because they have no accommodation.

One client said that the Path scheme had helped him immensely.

“You’ve been really helpful. I wouldn’t have a place without your help, I’d be homeless next month and then I’d be back in prison,” he said.

Anyone wanting donate basic food, toiletries and clothes to the project can do so via the EDP charity at Beaufort House, 51 New North Road, EX44EP. Clothing required include men’s clothing such as tracksuits, jumpers, coats and jeans (all medium size). Bags, toothpaste, deodorant, water bottles and tinned food would also be gratefully accepted.

Have your say
Feedback to us on this page

We need this information so we can quickly identify in which policing area you live